Alberta Party

Alberta Party candidate Kevin Todd is running for the position of MLA in Livingstone-Macleod.

Todd was born and raised in the community of Nanton, raising his own family in the same town. Todd has been an active community member, volunteering with the Nanton Futures Foundation, Nanton Promoters and the Nanton Golf Club.

Having served on the Town Council for multiple years, Todd found himself looking to get more involved in politics. As he campaigned for the UCP nomination, he became “acutely aware” the party no longer represented his values and then found himself “politically homeless” in the riding. That was until he found the Alberta Party, he explained.

“I’m 100 per cent behind the Alberta Party and what they stand for,” said Todd.

Todd said he has followed Alberta Party leader Barry Morishita’s political career and likes how the party will not have a “whip” on the MLAs in the province, allowing for more autonomy within each riding.

“The party of course has their core values, but the needs of Livingstone-Macleod are very different than the needs of central Calgary and should be represented as such. The Alberta Party allows for this,” said Todd.

One of the specific issues he is concerned with is transparency in government, including land-use discussions and any developments on school curriculums. According to Todd, this is so constituents can see how the government is operating. After spending the last two months on the road he said he has met people who have told him they are politically homeless.

“This Alberta Party gives them a home. Small seat, fiscally conservative [and] right of center,” said Todd, “There’s a lot of room for people who might be politically homeless.”

Todd added he looks forward to potentially representing the constituents of Livingstone-Macleod in the upcoming election and advocating for a balanced and fiscally responsible option in Alberta politics. Learn more at www.kevintodd.ca or his Facebook page, Kevin Todd for Livingstone-Macleod.

NDP

Livingstone-Macleod NDP Candidate Kevin Van Tighem running for MLA in “historically conservative” seat.

Van Tighem has been a conservationist, author and the former Superintendent of Banff National Park. Born in Calgary, Van Tighem and his wife Gail raised their three children in Waterton and their property along the Oldman River. He was a part of successful efforts by the Nature Conservancy of Canada to protect ranching from development pressure and has also served on the board of the Livingstone Landowners Group.

Van Tighem isn’t convinced Livingstone-Macleod is a safe conservative seat like it has been historically.

“We’re getting a lot of momentum for public events. The last couple were standing room only… we’re hearing a lot from disenchanted conservatives, conservatives that that don’t seem to have a home anymore and are trying to figure out where their vote goes next. I think we are definitely in contention here,” said Van Tighem.

He said conversations around the “skyrocketing” cost of living are the most common issue he has been hearing about. Along with general inflation, he hears concerns about utility bills, vehicle insurance and tuition increase.

“Since inflation hit, that’s really become a big concern for a lot of people. Another one that we hear about [is] people’s nostalgia for having a good government that they can rely on. I hear about these issues at the door and then people say I wish we had a government that was paying attention to these things,” said Van Tighem.

While the political landscape keeps changing, if you need a party to represent you, look no further according to Van Tighem.

“If you’re looking for a public health care system you can rely on. If you’re looking for education that will give your kids a future. If you’re looking for people that are paying attention to the things that affect the bills [coming] across your kitchen table once a month. If you’re looking for maturity [and] fiscal responsibility. If these are certain things you’re looking for, you don’t need to look very far. That’s what this candidate is all about. That’s what the party I joined is all about,” said Van Tighem.

More information is available at kevinvantighem.albertandp.ca

UCP

UCP candidate for Livingstone-Macleod, Chelsae Petrovic, failed to respond to the request for an interview before the deadline. For more information, visit chelsaepetrovic.com